Styling station

ABSTRACT

A versatile styling station includes a product retainer, a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer and an attachment mechanism associated with the product retainer and the straps. The attachment mechanism connects the styling station to a corresponding base, comprising a chair back, an armrest or a door. The straps slidingly adjust to level the product retainer after connection of the styling station to the base. The corresponding attachment mechanism may comprise an adjustable hook or a pair of looped extensions formed from the straps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a styling station. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a portable andinterchangeable shelving system capable of adaptively attaching tomultiple chair backs.

Professional hairstylists and makeup artists (collectively “professionalstylists”) typically require the use of many types of beauty products(e.g. makeup, scissors, styling gel, shampoo, etc.) and electricalhand-held appliances (e.g. blow dryers, curling irons, etc.).Workstations that store these beauty products and electrical appliancesare generally known in the art and tend to vary extensively by design.In general, designs include workstations that organize power cords viaretractable extension cords, large portable workstations andworkstations having rigidly attached styling trays. There are manydifferent types and forms of styling workstations available toprofessional stylists. But, there are currently no customizable andhighly portable workstations widely used in the industry that arecapable of adaptively storing beauty products and electrical appliancesaccording to the specific needs of the professional stylist.

Workstations may incorporate one or more various devices that organizehairstyling products, makeup products and electrical appliances. Beautyproducts and other electrical appliances associated with hairstyling andmakeup artists, hairdressing studios and hairstyling emporiums areideally easily accessible to the professional stylist to ensureefficient styling. It is no surprise, therefore, that there are manyspecial purpose workstations and styling trays that endeavor to solve aplurality of problems in the art. Professional stylists, especiallythose in the entertainment industry, often treat the skin and stylehair, scalp, coiffure, wigs, and other accessories with a wide varietyof products and procedures. These professional stylists need specializedworkstation aids in order to provide exceptional and efficient stylingservices. Such workstation aids might include styling trays thatorganize products, devices that organize electrical cords or housingsthat shield the heating elements from a curling iron or blow dryer.

In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,245,716 to Danner discloses a stylingtray rigidly mounted to a chair backrest. The styling tray is designedto efficiently disconnect from the chair backrest with minimum effort.The tray is vertically and horizontally adjustable via a set of slidingbrackets of which some are rigidly screwed into the chair backrest. Thetray is preferably placed directly behind the backrest to bestaccommodate the busy professional stylist. Such a tray has multiplereceptacle portions for accommodating a variety of beauty products andhairstyling appliances. Removing the tray from the chair backrest allowsthe professional stylist to clean the tray. But, such a tray is nothighly portable and is not usable with chairs that do not have bracketsmounted thereto.

Another specific workstation design solves problems associated withstoring and shielding dangling electrical cords of electricalappliances. This workstation includes a number of receptacles designedto hold electrical appliances, such as a blow dryer or curling iron,during non-use. Each receptacle has a charging plug from which theelectrical appliance may draw electricity. The charging plug has acorresponding exposed adapter capable of being unwound to increase theoperational distance of the electrical appliance. A set of electricalcontainers may be removably disposed in the receptacles and have varyinginterchangeable designs for storing other beauty products or tools.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,371 to Heel discloses a relatively large portableworkstation that includes a movable cart and electrical supply. Portableworkstations are especially useful for professional stylists that workat different locations all within the same general site. Such portableworkstations are generally formed from a multi-sided box-like containerhaving a set of wheels and a plurality of slots for storing beautyproducts and electrical appliances. These workstations can hold andorganize small beauty products and accessories such as curlers, clips,hairpins, hair and scalp treatment solutions, etc. Mounting a containerto larger portable workstations, for example, increases the on-siteconvenience of the workstation, but can decrease portability of theworkstation among multiple locations (e.g. between movie sets).

In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,773 to Losenno discloses a toolhanger for supporting electrical appliances like curling irons and blowdryers. The tool hanger specifically addresses a need in the art forsafely using and storing curling irons, hot comb hangers and blowdryers. Previously, such devices were placed on a vanity or othercomparable and convenient surface. This significantly increased thepossibility of the heating elements coming into contact with thesurroundings and, in turn, increased the fire hazard. Fire hazards wereespecially problematic when the heating elements were accidentally lefton after completed use. Thus, the tool hanger provides an electricalappliance retainer that thermally insulates the heating elements fromthe surrounding environment. The hangers are designed to position theheating elements away from the face, hands and other body parts of theprofessional stylist. But, the tool hanger fails as a versatile portablestorage device capable of aiding a professional stylist outside ofsimply holding electrical appliances.

One major problem with the prior art is that professional stylists tendto work in different environments, such as homes, stylingestablishments, backstage areas at theaters, movie sets, etc.Professional stylists that travel to different locations to do work maycreate an improvised or makeshift portable hairstyling stationdepending, of course, on the location, the surrounding environment andthe type of work to be performed. This is particularly disadvantageousto the professional stylist as products may constantly requirereorganization to create an adequate workstation for each location orwork to be performed. In turn, the professional stylist may experience adecrease in efficiency and quality of work for the lack of being able toobtain certain beauty products and electrical appliances in a quick,consistent and efficient manner.

Thus, there is a need in the art for widespread adaptation of aversatile styling station that aids professional stylists in performingany of the above-described services. Such a styling station should behighly portable, foldable, include an interchangeable shelving storagesystem, and be capable of adjustment such that the styling station mayattach to a wide variety of items with simple hooks, straps andretaining rings. The present invention fulfills these needs and providesfurther related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The versatile styling station disclosed herein includes a productretainer, a pair of straps coupled to the product retainer and anattachment mechanism associated with the product retainer and thestraps. The attachment mechanism connects the styling station to a baseand the straps slidably adjust to level the product retainer onceconnected. Preferably, the straps comprise a continuous strip offlexible material that encompasses the outer portion of the productretainer. The shape of the product retainer effectively gives thestyling station its shape. The styling station may further include aproduct holder slidably receivable by the product retainer. In oneembodiment, the product holder comprises a box for storing a pluralityof styling products. In another embodiment, the product holder comprisesa holder capable of insulating the heating elements of a hairdryer orcurling iron. The product retainer may selectively disengage the strapsand may be selectively positionable along the length of the straps. In apreferred embodiment, the styling station attaches to a base thatcomprises a chair back, an armrest or a door.

In one embodiment disclosed herein, the styling station includes anattachment mechanism that comprises an adjustable hook. The hook isselectively slidably engageable with a clip coupled to a strap. The hookfurther includes a lock that removably engages the clip to ensuresecurement thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the clip comprises aD-ring. Moreover, the hook should be sized to adaptively engage thecorresponding base and may be configured to change in size depending onthe corresponding application.

In an alternative embodiment of the versatile styling station disclosedherein, the attachment mechanism comprises a pair of looped extensionsformed from the straps. The looped extensions are sized to encompass thewidth of the base. Moreover, the looped extensions are adjustable andare capable of attaching to differently sized bases. In this regard, theadjustment end of the straps enables a user to increase or decrease thelength of the looped extensions, depending on the size and thickness ofthe corresponding base to which the styling station is to be attached.Moreover, the styling station may further include a connector thatselectively engages each of the looped extensions. The connectoreffectively prevents the straps from pulling away from one another whenthe styling station is attached to the corresponding base. A cushion mayselectively attach to the connector to ensure that a user does not comeinto contact with either the connector or the straps when sitting in achair having the styling station attached thereto. Accordingly, thecushion may comprise a lumbar support or a pillow.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a styling station in accordance with thepresent invention, including a pair of hooks;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the styling station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the styling station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the styling station of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the styling station of FIG. 1,illustrating attachment to a chair back via the hooks;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the styling station of FIG. 5,further illustrating retainment of a plurality of hair styling products;

FIG. 7 is an alternative perspective view of the styling stationdisclosed herein, including a pair of adjustable straps;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternative styling station of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative styling station of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the alternative styling station ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the alternative styling stationof FIG. 7, illustrating attachment to a chair back via the straps;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the alternative stylingstation of FIG. 11, further illustrating retainment of multiple stylingproducts;

FIG. 13 is an alternative perspective view of the styling stationattached to a chair back by the pair of straps, further illustratingretention thereto by a connector; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the styling station of FIG. 13,illustrating attachment of a pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the presentinvention for a styling station is referred to generally by thereference number 10. In general, the styling station 10 is a portableand versatile shelving system capable of adaptively attaching tomultiple objects, such as chair backs. The adjustability andcompatibility of using the styling station 10 in multiple settingsderives primarily from the arrangement of a first strap 12 and secondstrap 14 that interconnect with at least one of a top shelf 16 and abottom shelf 18. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment wherein the stylingstation 10 is removably attachable to a chair back 20 (FIGS. 5 and 6)via a pair of hooks 22. Alternatively, with respect to FIGS. 7-14, thestyling station 10 may removably attach to the chair back 20 by thestraps 12, 14 themselves. The hooks 22 enable the styling station 10 toattach to a chair back 20, per FIGS. 5 and 6, or any one of a number ofother items, such as arm rests, doors, window sills or other pieces offurniture or parts of a building to which the hooks 22 may grasp. Thestraps 12, 14 are preferably used to attach the styling station 10 to achair back 20 in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-14.Although, a person of ordinary skill in the art may use the straps 12,14 to attach the styling station 10 to other pieces of furniture orparts of a building in accordance with the functionality of the straps12, 14, as described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates the styling station 10 including a pair of hooks 22integral with the straps 12, 14 via a pair of upper clips 24. The straps12, 14 thread through these upper clips 24, as described in more detailbelow, and may be interchanged with other straps having varying shapesand sizes. The straps 12, 14 are preferably made from a durable andresilient material that may include leather, vinyl or rubber.Preferably, the straps 12, 14 do not stretch. But, at least a portion ofthe straps 12, 14 may stretch in order to attach the styling station 10to an object. As best shown with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, the straps12, 14 have a first end 26 that is fixedly attached to the upper clips24. In this respect, the first end 26 and the upper clips 24 must alsobe manufactured from a substantially resilient material capable ofcarrying the weight of the corresponding components of the stylingstation 10 and any styling accessories used in conjunction therewith.Preferably, the upper clips 24 are manufactured from a rigid plastic ormetal material. The first end 26 may attach to the upper clips 24 byfolding a portion of the strap material about itself to form an eyeletthat encompasses a portion of the upper clips 24. Therefrom, the firstend 26 of the straps 12, 14 extends downwardly along a back section 28of the styling station 10. The straps 12, 14 extend down and around abottom section 30 of the styling station 10, namely underneath thebottom shelf 18. Accordingly, the straps 12, 14 extend upwardly along afront section 32 and eventually angle upward back toward the upper clips24. The straps 12, 14 then thread through the upper clips 24 and a pairof lower clips 34 slidably retained along a section of the straps 12, 14along the back section 28, as best shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 9-10. Withrespect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, an adjustment end36 of the straps 12, 14 folds back along the straps 12, 14 along theback section 28 of the styling station 10. With respect to theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7-14, the adjustment end 36 is used totighten the styling station 10 around the chair, as described in moredetail below.

The shelves 16, 18 may be permanently or removably attached to thestraps 12, 14 by any mechanism known in the art, including rivets,screws, glue or by being sewn into the straps 12, 14. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, the styling station 10 includes at least thebottom shelf 18 coupled to the straps 12, 14 to provide support and somestructure as the straps 12, 14 themselves are generally flexible. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that any oneof a number of different shelves may be used in conjunction with thestyling station 10 as disclosed herein. The shelves 16, 18 may befourteen inches wide by four inches deep to ensure adequate space forretaining a plurality of styling products. Preferably, the stylingstation 10 includes the top shelf 16 in a fixed location along thestraps 12, 14 relative to the bottom shelf 18. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, the space between the top shelf 16 and the bottomshelf 18 is ten inches. In an alternative embodiment, the top shelf 16and the bottom shelf 18 may be adjusted by removably attaching thestraps 12, 14 thereto via a hook and loop mechanism (e.g. Velcro),snaps, snap buckles or another set of connectors that allowadjustability of the shelves 16, 18 along the length of the straps 12,14. The shelves 16, 18 as shown in FIG. 1 include a lip 38 thatgenerally extends upwardly approximately one-half inch from a base 40 ofthe shelves 16, 18 and is approximately one-quarter inch in width. Ingeneral, the lip 38 extends around the outer perimeter of the shelves16, 18 and is used primarily to retain any one of a plurality of stylingproducts placed on the base 40. That is, the lip 38 ensures thatproducts placed on the base 40 do not simply slide off in the event thatthe shelves 16, 18 become tilted to any degree. This is particularlyuseful when adjusting the styling station 10 or transporting the stylingstation 10 from one location to another. Thus, this makes thesubstantially planar base 40 ideal for placement of styling productssuch as makeup or hair products.

Moreover, the styling station 10 may include an upper bracket 42 and alower bracket 44 for use with the top shelf 16 and the bottom shelf 18,respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Like the shelves 16, 18, thebrackets 42, 44 may also be removably or permanently attached to thestraps 12, 14 utilizing the same or a similar attachment mechanism,described above. In one aspect, the brackets 42, 44 may be adjustablypositioned relative to the shelves 16, 18. Adjustability of the brackets42, 44 allows individual professional stylists to customize the heightbetween the brackets 42, 44 and the shelves 16, 18 depending on theproducts used with the styling station 10. In a particularly preferredembodiment, the brackets 42, 44 are placed approximately two inchesabove the respective shelves 16, 18. Accordingly, the space between thebrackets 42, 44 and the corresponding lip 38 of the shelves 16, 18 isapproximately one and one quarter inches. The adjustability of thestyling station 10 provides more flexibility for professional styliststo customize the shelving. For example, the distance between the upperbracket 42 and the lip 38 or the base 40 of the top shelf 16 may berelatively smaller compared to the distance between the lower bracket 44and the lip 38 or the base 40 of the bottom shelf 18. In this example,makeup and hair styling containers of relatively short height would beplaced and stored in the top shelf 16, while makeup and hair stylingcontainers (e.g. shampoo or hair spray bottles) having relatively tallheight would be placed and stored on the bottom shelf 18. Of course, thepositioning of the shelves 16, 18 and the brackets 42, 44 may beconfigured according to the needs of each individual professionalstylist. Preferably, the materials that comprise the shelves 16, 18 andthe brackets 42, 44 are rigid and capable of being transported withoutwearing out or breaking. Such materials may include wood, metal,Plexiglas, Kydex, injected molded plastic products, or other materialshaving like properties. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the artwill readily recognize that additional removable shelving and brackets(not shown) may attach anywhere between the top shelf 16 and the bottomshelf 18 by any of the aforementioned attachment mechanisms compatiblewith the styling station 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hooks 22 are configured for slidingengagement with the styling station 10. Preferably, the hooks 22 aremanufactured from a resilient, yet flexible material such that a usermay define the width of the U-shape portion of the hooks 22 in order tofit the styling station 10 to variously sized chair backs or otherfurniture items, as described above. A terminal end 46 of the hooks 22is configured to slidingly engage the upper clips 24 for attachmentthereto as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The terminal end 46 is preferablycurved to form a chamber through which the upper clips 24 may reside,yet not easily disengage. FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of theformation of the terminal end 46 of the hooks 22 such that the stylingstation 10 hangs therefrom and does not otherwise disengage the hooks 22during use, especially when attached to the chair back 20 of FIGS. 5 and6. The terminal end 46 forms a locking chamber that preventsdisengagement. The terminal end 46 may also comprise other lockingmechanisms such as clips, snaps, hooks/loops (e.g. Velcro) or anothersimilar mechanism capable of performing the same function. A person ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the hooks 22 maysecurely engage the upper clips 24 by any means known in the art toprevent inadvertent disengagement therefrom. The adjustment end 36 ofthe straps 12, 14 may simply fold back upon itself as best shown in FIG.4. In this embodiment, the hooks 22 attach the styling station 10 to thechair back 20. Of course, the hooks 22 may be formed of any shape orsize that enables at least partial adjustment thereof. For example, thehooks 22 may expand or contract depending on the width of the chair backor other furniture item to which the styling station 10 is to beattached. In another aspect, the hooks 22 may vertically adjust toaccommodate taller or shorter chair backs or other furniture items, inaccordance with the disclosures herein.

FIGS. 7-14 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the styling station10 wherein attachment to the chair back 20 is accomplished via a pair ofloops 48 formed from the straps 12, 14. When attaching the stylingstation 10 to the chair back 20 (FIGS. 11-14) with the straps 12, 14(instead of the hooks 22), the adjustment end 36 thereof is detachedfrom the corresponding portions of the straps 12, 14 as generally shownin FIG. 4. The material of the straps 12, 14 otherwise unused in FIGS.1-6 is thereafter used to create the loops 48. Retracting the adjustmentend 36 back through the lower clips 34 enables this excess material ofthe straps 12, 14 to expand outwardly into the loops 48. Of course, thesize of the loops 48 may be adjusted depending on the object to whichthe styling station 10 will be attached. The adjustment end 36 may beremovably attached by any one of a number of attachment mechanisms knownin the art, including a hook and loop arrangement (e.g. Velcro),buttons, snaps or clips. The loops 48 should at least initially be largeenough to slide around the outside of the width of the chair back 20.Thereafter, the loops 48 may be adjusted and tightened to the chair back20, as described in more detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 11-14, the loops 48 extend around the outside of thechair back 20. Accordingly, the straps 12, 14 may be tightened orloosened by threading more or less material through the lower clips 34.For example, in using FIG. 9 as a reference, the loop 48 may bedecreased in size by threading additional strap material through thelower clip 34, thereby lengthening the adjustment end 36. In thisregard, the adjustment end 36 would attach to a position higher up onthe chair back 20 than its current position as shown in FIG. 13.Alternatively, more strap material may be threaded back through thelower clip 34, thereby increasing the size of the loop 48 and decreasingthe length of the adjustment end 36. In this embodiment, the adjustmentend 36 would attach to a lower portion on the chair back 20 relative tothe position in FIG. 13. Increasing and/or decreasing the size of theloop 48 depends, of course, on the size of the chair back 20 or otherfurniture item to which the styling station 10 is to be attached. Forexample, decreasing the size of the loop 48 is particularly ideal forsmaller or skinnier chair backs, while increasing the size of the loop48 is particularly preferred for larger or thicker chair backs.Tightening and loosening the straps 12, 14 can also change the tiltangle of the shelves 16, 18 and the brackets 42, 44, as described inmore detail below. Of course, the straps 12, 14 may be adjustablyconfigured by a hook and loop configuration (e.g. Velcro), buckles,snaps, snap buckles, the upper clips 24, a connector 50 (FIG. 13), theadjustment end 36 or the lower clips 34. Preferably the upper clips 24and the lower clips 34 comprise a D-ring.

Alternatively, the lower clips 34 may comprise a snap buckle and a setof adjustment clips located along the length of the straps 12, 14. Inthis embodiment, the adjustment end 36 of the straps 12, 14 simply snapsinto the snap buckle threaded thereon, instead of threading through thelower clips 34. The snap buckle, like the lower clips 34, is slidablyretained along the back section 28 of the straps 12, 14. The size of theloops 48 may be changed through use of the adjustment clips integral tothe straps 12, 14, instead of the lower clips 34. In this regard, a usermay adjust the size of the loops 48 with a set of three −bar adjustmentclips mounted along the length of the straps 12, 14 between the firstend 26 and the adjustment end 36.

FIG. 13 illustrates the styling station 10 including the connector 50for retaining together the straps 12, 14 when attached to the chair back20. The connector 50 functions to prevent the straps 12, 14 from fallingoff the sides of the char back 20. In this regard, the straps 12, 14 arefirst tightened to the chair back 20, as described above. Then, as shownin FIG. 13, the connector 50 attaches to the straps 12, 14 along thechair back 20. The connector 50 may fold upon itself for attachmentthereto by any of the aforementioned retainment mechanisms, such as ahook and loop arrangement (e.g. Velcro), snaps, clips or othermechanisms known in the art. In this case, the connector 50 helps retainthe straps 12, 14 relative to one another along the chair back 20.Without the connector 50, the straps 12, 14 risk pulling apart andfalling off either side of the chair back 20. Accordingly, the connector50 may also help maintain and center the styling station 10 in themiddle of the chair back 20.

Moreover, FIG. 11 illustrates a pillow 52 that may be integrated withthe styling station 10 as described herein. The pillow 52 is preferablyany type of lumbar support or cushion attachable to the styling station10 via the connector 50 to ensure maximum comfort and support. In thisregard, the pillow 52 simply threads into the connector 50 duringattachment to the straps 12, 14. The pillow 52 may include a sleeve (notshown) for receiving the connector 50 or may include another mechanism,such as a hook and loop attachment (i.e. Velcro), capable offacilitating attachment to the connector 50. When a user is sitting in achair 54 and leaning up against the chair back 20, the pillow 52, asattached to the connector 50, prevents the user from directly contactingthe connector 50 and/or the straps 12, 14. Thus, the pillow 52 isdesigned to provide comfort and support to a person receiving stylingservices from a stylist using the styling station 10.

The straps 12, 14 are flexible in that the styling station 10 does notneed to pull tight against a back portion of the chair back 20 tooperate. As shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 11-14, the styling station 10 is notflush with the back portion of the chair back 20. The design of thestyling station 10 ensures that the shelves 16, 18 are capable of beingoriented according to the needs of the professional stylist. The shelves16, 18 are preferably positioned substantially horizontal to the floorand positioned at an offset angle relative to the back portion of thechair back 20, unless, of course, the chair back 20 is perpendicular tothe floor. Adjusting the straps 12, 14 to shorten the distance aroundthe chair back 20 would tighten the loops 48 therearound and cause thestyling station 10 to tilt forward. Increasing the size of the loops 48tilts the styling station 10 backward toward the chair back 20. Thistilting feature is especially useful for maximum adjustability of thestyling station 10 for use with a wide variety of chairs, includingangled chairs. This ensures that the styling station 10 does not simplydangle from the chair back 20. Rather, the styling station 10 maysecurely attach to the chair back 20 and be properly adjusted to ensurethat the shelves 16, 18 remain substantially parallel to the floor inorder to stabilize the styling products placed thereon. Hence, theprofessional stylist is able to work from the styling station 10 withoutworrying that makeup and hairstyling products, retained in the shelves16, 18 and by the corresponding brackets 42, 44, may fall out. Thestyling station 10 is especially useful and conformable to the pitch ofdifferent styling chairs and may attach to a hydraulic salon chair back,an ordinary chair back and any railing or doorframe with straps orhooks. Accordingly, the styling station 10 can be adjusted for differentchair back heights, door heights and angles to keep the shelves 16, 18level.

As shown in FIG. 1, the styling station 10 may further include any oneof a plurality of accessories such as a box 56 or a holder 58. The box56 is preferably sized to fit neatly within the interior of the topshelf 16 as formed by the lip 38. The styling station 10 may alsoinclude a mechanism for attaching the box 56 to the top shelf 16, suchas by a mechanical mechanism or an adhesive mechanism. The box 56 mayhold any one of a number of small styling accessories such as a pin 60(FIGS. 6 and 12). Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize that the box 56 is capable of being placed in eitherthe top shelf 16, as described above, the bottom shelf 18 or any othershelves intermediate between the top shelf 16 and the bottom shelf 18.Moreover, the professional stylist may endeavor to use multiple boxes 56to hold a variety of other styling products requiring individualcompartments. The box 56 may be larger or smaller than that shown in therepresentative figures and may be further customized to include smallerindividual compartments therein (not shown). The box 56 is preferablyflush with the corresponding bracket when placed on the base 40 of anyrespective shelf, as shown best in FIG. 2. The upper bracket 42 helpsstabilize the box 56 when placed in the top shelf 16. In this regard,the upper bracket 42 prevents the box 56 from tipping or otherwisefalling out of the top shelf 16.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is the holder 58, which may retain a curling iron62, a hairdryer 64 (FIGS. 5-6 and 11-12), or any other comparablestyling device. The holder 58 preferably includes a horizontallyextending ledge 66. The ledge 66 enables the holder 58 to seat flushagainst the base 40 of the top shelf 16 through a corresponding aperture68. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the top shelf 16 may include aplurality of apertures 68, 68′, 68″. The shelves compatible with thestyling station 10 may include one or more of the apertures 68 in anyone of a number of different configurations. Moreover, the aperture 68may be sized to retain one of a plurality of devices and/or speciallyshaped to accommodate a specific device that a professional stylist maywant to use. Any one of a number of different accessories may also beused in association with the aperture 68. For example, the box 56 coversthe aperture 68″, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. The holder 58 or anotheraccessory may be inserted into any one of the apertures 68, 68′, 68″.Preferably, the holder 58 is capable of insulating the heating elementof the curling iron 62 or the hairdryer 64 to prevent exposure andpossible burn risk. Of course, any one of a number of different sized orshaped holders 58 may be used in conjunction with a plurality of theaforementioned apertures 68. The holder 58 is preferably made of ametal, a flexible heat resistant fabric or other fire retardant materialresistant to large temperature changes that may result from directcontact with the heating elements of the curling iron 62, the hairdryer64, or other similar device.

The styling station 10 may also retain other items in the shelves 16,18, as shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 11-12, including a water bottle 70, ahairspray bottle 72 or a shampoo bottle 74. Of course, a person ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the stylingstation 10 may effectively retain any one of a number of differentproducts to aid a professional stylist.

The styling station 10 is specifically designed to be detached from thechair back 20 for travel with the professional stylist in and amongvarying locations without forcing the professional stylist toreconfigure the styling station 10 at each of the independent locations.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made to each withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1. A versatile styling station, comprising: a product retainer; a pairof straps coupled to the product retainer; and an attachment mechanismassociated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting thestyling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to levelthe product retainer after connection of the styling station to thebase.
 2. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the straps comprise acontinuous strip of flexible material.
 3. The styling station of claim1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an adjustable hook.
 4. Thestyling station of claim 3, wherein the hook selectively slidablyengages a clip coupled to each strap.
 5. The styling station of claim 4,wherein the hook includes a lock to removably engage the clip.
 6. Thestyling station of claim 4, wherein the clip comprises a D-ring.
 7. Thestyling station of claim 3, wherein the hook is sized to adaptivelyengage the base.
 8. The styling station of claim 1, wherein theattachment mechanism comprises a pair of looped extensions formed fromthe straps.
 9. The styling station of claim 8, wherein the loopedextensions are sized to encompass the base.
 10. The styling station ofclaim 8, including a connector selectively engageable with each loopedextension, for preventing the straps from pulling away from one another.11. The styling station of claim 10, including a cushion selectivelyattachable to the connector, wherein the cushion comprises a lumbarsupport or a pillow.
 12. The styling station of claim 1, wherein theproduct retainer selectively disengages the straps and is selectivelypositionable along the length of the straps.
 13. The styling station ofclaim 1, including a product holder slidably receivable by the productretainer.
 14. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the base comprisesa chair back, an armrest, or a door.
 15. A versatile styling station,comprising: a product retainer; a pair of straps coupled to the productretainer; and an attachment mechanism comprising an adjustable hookassociated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting thestyling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to levelthe product retainer after connection of the styling station to the baseand the hook includes a lock to removably engage a clip.
 16. The stylingstation of claim 15, wherein the straps comprise a continuous strip offlexible material and the hook selectively slidably engages the clipcoupled to each strap.
 17. The styling station of claim 15, wherein thehook is sized to adaptively engage the base and the clip comprises aD-ring.
 18. The styling station of claim 15, wherein the productretainer selectively disengages the straps and is selectivelypositionable along the length of the straps.
 19. The styling station ofclaim 1, including a product holder slidably receivable by the productretainer, wherein the base comprises a chair back, an armrest, or adoor.
 20. A versatile styling station, comprising: a product retainer; apair of straps coupled to the product retainer, wherein the strapscomprise a continuous strip of flexible material; and an attachmentmechanism comprising a pair of looped extensions formed from the strapsassociated with the product retainer and the straps for connecting thestyling station to a base, wherein the straps slidably adjust to levelthe product retainer after connection of the styling station to the baseand the looped extensions are sized to encompass the base.
 21. Thestyling station of claim 20, including a connector selectivelyengageable with each looped extension for preventing the straps frompulling away from one another and a cushion selectively attachable tothe connector, wherein the cushion comprises a lumbar support or apillow.
 22. The styling station of claim 1, wherein the product retainerselectively disengages the straps and is selectively positionable alongthe length of the straps and the base comprises a chair back, anarmrest, or a door.
 23. The styling station of claim 1, including aproduct holder slidably receivable by the product retainer.